No one can deny thatK-dramashavemastered the art of romance. Something about these stories just makes you want tobelieve in love all over again, even in the most unusual of places. The way most Korean dramascompel you to cry, laugh, and explore human connectionsin their messy, raw glory is unlike any other. Even if the genre isn’t something that draws you in, theseromantic K-dramasoffer something for everyone.
10‘Business Proposal’ (2022)
The premise ofBusiness Proposalmightcome off as a little cliché,but trust me, that’s part of the fun. This K-drama delivers theperfect mix of humor, romance, and complex characters. The story follows Shin Ha-ri(Kin Se-jeong), who mistakenly ends up on a blind date with her boss, Kang Tae-moo(Ahn Hyo-seop). We can all agree that theworkplaceromance tropehas been overdone,but if not for anything else, you need to watch this K-drama for Se-jeong and Hyo-seop’s chemistry. Not to mention that Ha-ri is far from the typical K-drama female leads, which makes the show all the more enjoyable. Her fierce independence is incredibly refreshing and stands as the perfect contrast against Tae-moo’s cold, stoic personality.
I really like that the show doesn’t attempt to be edgy andbreak away from rom-com clichés, andleans on them to drive its storytelling. As light-hearted and fun as it is to watch,Business Proposalalso exploresdeeper themes like self-growthand the reality of dating someone you work for. Some might think that the plot of a show like this is bound to be predictable, but withBusiness Proposal,you really never know what’s next. I’m a little sad that the show had toend with just 12 episodes,because I could have watched Ha-ri and Tae-moo’s banter for way longer. ‘
9‘Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’ (2021)
Hometown Cha-Cha-Chais aremake of the 2004 South Korean film,Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong,and is theperfect feel-good escapefrom reality. The show is set in the coastal village of Gongjin, and you’re transported to this dream-like world from the very first episode. The story follows Yoon Hye-jin(Shin Min-a), a dentist from Seoul, and Hong Du-sik(Kim Seon-ho), a charming handyman known as “Chief Hong.” Coming from two completely different worlds, thetwo leads find themselves drawn to each other,and we get to see their love blossom in the span of 16 brilliantly made episodes. Once again, I have to commend the actors and their chemistry for delivering a fresh take on the familiar city-girl and laid-back-guy premise.
While I do love K-dramas for how complex they are in terms of their stories and world-building,Hometown Cha-Cha-Chakeeps things simple,and sometimes, that’s really all you need. The conflicts in the show are grounded in real, relatable struggles, and the show is full of everyday people dealing with their own problems, chasing their dreams, and surviving heartbreaks. I love that the showdoesn’t have a traditional antagonistjust for the sake of it, since this allows the story to dive deep into who Hye-jin and Du-sik are as people. Even side characters, side Grandma Kim Gam-ri(Kin Young-ok)and one-hit-wonder Oh Cheon-jae(Jo Han-chul),add depth to the story and bring the vibrant community of Gongjin to life. The slice-of-life, small-town vibe makesHometown Cha-Cha-Chatheperfect weekend binge.
8‘Something in the Rain’ (2018)
If you’re looking for a K-drama that breaks taboos and gives you the most heart-warming,genuine exploration of unconventional love,Something in the Rainhas to be your next watch. Instead of relying on the usual melodrama or tropes that K-dramas are known and loved for, this show focuses on theraw and messy journey of falling in lovewhile juggling societal expectations. The story revolves around Yoon Jin-ah(Son Ye-jin), a district supervisor in her 30s who starts to fall for her best friend’s younger brother Seo Jun-hui(Jung Hae-in)after he returns from working abroad. Despite their6-year age difference,the leads first rekindle their friendship and soon enough, they find themselves giving in to their feelings.
The love story inSomething in the Rainnever feels rushed or unnecessarily dramatic.The chemistry between Jin-ah and Jun-hui is magnetic, but the beauty of their connection lies in the quiet, simple moments they spend together. We have to take a moment for the show’sbrilliant cinematographyand how it presents the rain as central to the couple’s journey.Something in the Rainpacks a punch in its 16 episodeswith its bold storytelling and compelling performances. By the time you’re done, I’m sure your idea of love will have gone through a total transformation.
7‘Lovely Runner’ (2024)
I might be biased, but K-dramas really know how to do fantasy romances right.Lovely Runnerdoesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel when it comes totime-travel stories, but it doesbring a fun twist to it.From the very first episode, you find yourself drawn into the world of Im Sol(Kim Hye-yoon)and Ryu Sun-jae(Byeon Woo-seok)because of how convincing they are in their roles. The story follows Im Sol, who idolizes A-list celebrity Ryu Sun-jae and finds solace in his music after she goes through a life-changing accident. However, Sol’s world comes crashing down when Sun-jae suddenly dies. When she is given the chance to travel back in time and save Sun-jae, Im Sol will do everything she can tochange the course of his life.
The story picks up a few episodes in, and I really recommend sticking around to experience the real magic of it all.Lovely Runnerisn’t a one-dimensionalshow that treats time-travel as a gimmick. When Sol goes into the past, she personally witnesses the turmoil Sun-jae goes through in his life, and she goes from being a heart-eyed fan to one of his closest confidants. Because we know what’s coming if Sol isn’t able to change the course of events, every interaction between her and the singer is meaningful and loaded with purpose. Keeping theheart-fluttering romanceaside,Love Runnerexplores the Butterfly Effect while shedding light on thedark reality of fame, mental health, and societal expectations.
6‘Her Private Life’ (2019)
Speaking of fan-girls,Her Private Lifeis another K-drama that explores the concept really well. The show follows Sun Deok-mi(Park Min-young), a 33-year-old chief curator who issecretly obsessed withK-pop idolCha Shi-an(Jung Jae-won). Deok-mi’s double life is threatened when rumors spread that she is dating Shi-an. To protect her from the K-pop idol’s rabid fans, Ryan Gold(Kim Jae-wook), the new art director at the museum, pretends to be her partner.As their fake relationship continues,Deok-mi and Ryan find themselves attracted to each other as a hilarious series of events unfolds around them.
Honestly, I love howHer Private Lifeallows the female lead toembrace her passion without any kind of shame. She eventually stops hiding her fan-girl side and goes on an impressive journey of self-acceptance. It’s interesting to watch Ryan accepting Deok-mi for who she is, despite his initialcold and detached nature.Ryan’s growth as a character is brilliant,and he ends up becoming one of the most sensitive, thoughtful, andsupportive male leadsI have ever seen in a K-drama. Some might say thatHer Private Lifeis a mix of nearly every other K-drama cliché out there, but hey, if it works, it works.
5‘What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim’ (2018)
Another feel-good romantic K-drama that has to be on your list isWhat’s Wrong with Secretary Kim.The story follows Lee Young-joon(Park Seo-joon), the vice-chairman of a major corporation, and his secretary, Kim Mi-so(Park Min-young), who suddenlyannounces her resignation.Since she’s the backbone of the company, Young-joon decides to do everything he can to keep her around. However, in doing so, the executive realizes thathis feelings for her have taken a romantic turn.Mi-so is on a journey of her own, though, and wants to explore what else the world has to offer.
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kimis unlike any other typical workplace romance because itmoves past the predictable power dynamicsof a boss and their employee. Young-joon starts off as an emotionally immature, selfish boss who depends on Mi-so for everything, but he undergoes arefreshing character developmentafter realizing she is way more than just that. It’s honestly rare to see an assertive female lead in a K-drama, butWhat’s Wrong with Secretary Kimreallydelves into Mi-so’s personal development,rather than letting the romance take over her character. The show is amix of heartfelt moments, hilarious situations, and relatable, realistic romance. If over-the-top love stories aren’t your cup of tea, I’d really recommend giving this K-drama a shot.
4Descendants of the Sun (2016)
Any list of K-dramas is incomplete without a military romance, but I have to admit thatDescendants of the Sunis way more than just that. he story follows Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-ki), a special forces captain, and Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo), a talented cardiothoracic surgeon. Given their high-stakes job, the budding romance between the two leadsobviously faces its fair share of challenges,especially when Si-jin is deployed on a dangerous mission. The backdrop ofDescendants of the Sunsets the stage for a high-stakes, all-consuming story that is bothtouching and heartbreaking.
While military dramas can easily feel over-the-top, the characters inDescendants of the Sunare well-written with complex emotional arcs. I also really like how realistic the show is in its portrayal of how the characters balance their personal and professional lives, with theircareers sometimes taking precedence over love. The action sequences are intense and only elevate the tension that slowly keeps building throughout the show. Even the subplots that showcase the camaraderie between Si-jin and his best friend, Seo Dae-young(Jin Goo)add so much to the show that you can’t help but want more. Add in all thestunning locations and breathtaking cinematography, and you have one of themost immersive K-dramasof all time.
3‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’ (2020)
Brace yourself before you watchIt’s Okay to Not Be Okaybecause this show had me ugly-crying for days. I usually stay far away fromshows centered on mental healthbecause they tend to reduce the topic to superficial portrayals, but not this one. The best way to describe this K-drama would bea fairytale for adults.The way the story brings in fantastical elements into a narrative that’s grounded in realism makes for a very interesting contrast. Every episode of the show is somewhat of adark take on popular childhood stories, so you have a sense of familiarity, but at the same time, you don’t really know what’s coming next. The show follows Ko Moon-young(Seo Ye-jin), a children’s author who lives with her autistic brother Moon Sang-tae(Oh Jung-se). The siblings often move towns in an attempt to escape the psychological toll of their mother’s murder.
In doing so, Moon-young crosses paths with Moon Gang-tae(Kim Soo-hyun), a psychiatric ward caretaker who will do anything he can to avoidemotional connection. Throughout the show’s 16 episodes, the two leads not only fall in love, but they alsoheal each other from their equally disturbing pasts.What I really like, though, is that the show continues to focus on Sang-tae’s emotional growth, too, instead of tossing his storyline to the side.It’s Okay to Not Be Okayuses a lot of symbolism to point out how people hide their true struggles behind external appearances. In doing so, the writersaddress the stigma around mental health,which makes the show extremely relatable for anyone who has ever struggled with their own dark chapters.It’s Okay to Not Be Okayis not a perfect fantasy by any means, but the show’s messiness is the whole point.
2‘Healer’ (2014)
Healermight be the oldest K-drama on this list, but it remains relevant to this day. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about anaction-romance show, but this one had me hooked until the very end. The story follows Seo Jung-hoo(Ji Chang-wook), an illegal night courier with the code-name “Healer,” who ishired for dangerous, covert tasks. However, when he has to protect reporter Chae Young-shin(Park Min-young), he is drawn into a world of mystery and uncovered secrets. The premise might sound simple, but trust me,Healerslowly pulls back the layers, and thestoryline goes through complex twistsand turns with every episode.
I really love how the story effortlessly switches between Healer and Young-shin’s romance and high-octane action sequences.The pacing of the show is perfect, which is rare for a lot of other K-dramas. I can guarantee that there are absolutely no filler episodes inHealer,and every single scene counts toward building the overall narrative. Instead of painting a black-and-white picture, the showportrays all itscharacters as morally gray,despite always being on the side of justice. The idea of a gritty romance might not appeal to many, butHealerhas set the bar for the genre.
1‘Crash Landing on You’ (2019)
If you haven’t heard ofCrash Landing on You,you’re missing out on one of the greatest romantic K-dramas of all time. The show is anunexpected love storybetween a South Korean heiress, Yoon Se-ri(Son Ye-jin),and a North Korean military officer, Ri Jeong-hyeok(Hyn Bin). The story begins with Se-ri literally crashing into the North Korean portion of the DMZ, where Jeong-hyeok finds her. The army captain decides to help her return home while keeping her hidden from the authorities. The show is an eye-opening commentary on howlove transcendspolitical and cultural barriersthrough the two leads’ growing connection. Despite living two completely different lives, Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok learn that they have more in common with each other than they thought.
Not just that, butCrash Landing on Youis a great portrayal of the difference between North and South Korea, which serves as apowerful backdrop against the central love story. I really like how the show also depicts a more humanized version of North Koreans and portrays them as individuals capable of kindness, loyalty, and above all, love. Safe to say thatCrash Landing on Youhasbecome a cultural phenomenonand is considered to be one of themost mainstream K-dramasof modern times. Sure, the series has taken some creative liberties and skirted around difficult topics, but at the end of the day, it asks thought-provoking questions about duty and love.
